Progress Illinois

The first debate in the nationally watched the 8th congressional district race between U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (R-McHenry) and Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth featured the incumbent saying that he would allow the student loan interest rate to double this summer.

The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that ostensibly solves the student loan rate issue, but uses cash from the national health care reform law to offset the cost, a plan that won't wash with Democrats.

The head of Illinois' Regional Transit Authority is upset Congress postponed a major decision in funding transportation projects.

The U.S. Senate passed a bill yesterday that will fund transportation infrastructure projects in Illinois and across the country for the next two years.